Ooen harvester



(No Model.) v 2 SheetF-Sheet 1.. A; W. BUTT. CORN HARVESTER.

Patented Jan. 27,1891.

fln

WITNESSES (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. A W BUTT CORN HARVESTER.

Patented Jan. 27, 1891-.

kals .Atomey fl WITNESSES Ens cm, erio-rvumm; ASHWGTON n c UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

AODISON \V. BUJT, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,367, dated January 2'7, 1891.

Application filed July 31, 1890. Serial No. 360,494- (No model.)

To all whom it 'nmy concern.-

Be it known that I, ADDISON W. BUTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Harvesters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in corn-harvesters.

The improvements consist, essentially, of a general frame or structure mounted upon sled-runners, in combination with cuttingblades, mechanism connecting the blades to the structure in such wise that the blades may be adjusted laterally more or less beyond the sides of the structure and withdrawn toward the center of the structure, so as to come practically within the width of the same, when desired, either blade being preferably independent of the other.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a plan view of my improved corn-harvester; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3, a plan view with the floor of the machine removed to show the interior mechanism; Fig. 4, a detail sectional View on the line 00 0c of Fig. 3.

The letter A designates two sled -runners. of any approved form, and which are secured together by transverse bars B B, which in turn are braced by a longitudinal bar 0. The

runners are cut away, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the top of the runners is lowered, as shown at D. The cross-bars B fit in the angle of the cut-away part, and the cross bars B are let into the upper edge of the cut-away part, whereby the upper surfaces of the bars 13 arepractically flush with the edges D of the runners. Upon the bars B and the higher parts of the runners is placed a flooring E, consisting of a suitable number of boards. The outside boards extend somewhat beyond the runners and are curved to form a finish, and have attached to them a guard F, preferably of metal, to prevent the stalks of corn, weeds, &c., from becoming entangled in the machine. Draft-rods G are pivotally connected to the forward end of the machine, as

by means of eyebolts ll, passing into the flooring and into the forward cross-bar At either side of the machine near the forward end is attached another guard I to assist in keeping the stalks from falling over the machine. In the space between the bottom of the flooring and the upper edge of the cut-away part of the runners I mount the cutting mechanism, the same consisting of a board J, having its forward end out obliquely, and provided along such edge with an obliquely-disposed stout cutting-edge K, se cured to the board J by bolts L or otherwise. At suitable points metallic plates M and O are let into the board J and secured by bolts or otherwise. These plates carry studs P, to which are pivotally connected bars Q and B, respectively. The inner ends of these bars are pivotally connected with the central beam 0. The bars Q and R and the board J constitute what may be termed a toggle connection. From this it will be understood that when the blade-carrying board is forced outward the bars Q R turn on their pivots and swing with the board until the latter reaches its limit by meeting a stop. In the present case this stop is constituted by the board coming against the side of the rear cross-bar B. Thus the blade is extended laterally from the sled. To withdraw the blade more or less from such extreme position toward the sled or entirely within the width of the sled, the board J or bars Q and R are moved forward, whence they swinginw'ard and so withdraw the cutters.

Various instrumentalities may be employed for adjusting the blades in and out. I have shown two types, which are simple and effective. One of these consists of a rope or chain secured at its ends to the extreme ends of the board J and passing through staples S or other guides secured to the sled. This brings the body of the rope in an oblique position from the inner forward to near the rear end of the machine. The rope or chain passes up through openings in the floor ing, as seen in Fig. 1, so as to be accessible to a driver standing on the machine. A hand piece or ring T, secured to the rope, forms a means of taking hold of the rope to pull it either forward or backward, according to the adjustment desired of the blade. Thus a single rope or chain will operate the blade in both directions.

The board J is preferably beveled on the under side, as shown at U in Fig. at, to prevent interfering with the cutting action of the blade K. The board is also stiffened by crosspieces V. (Shown in Figs. 3 and 4.)

The other means shown for operating the toggle connection between the sled and bladecarrying board or frame consists of a short shaft a, mounted to rotate in the rear crossbar B and having rigidly connected with it an arm h, which pivotally connects with a sleeve d, slidingly mounted on the bar R. A crank c, to fit an angular part of the shaft a, enables the arm I) to be swung from side to side, taking with it thebarR and accordingly adjusting the blade-carryin g board. The floor is fashioned to suit the movement of these parts. Thus it Will be seen that I have pro vided a corn-harvester in which a vehicle or sled carries the on t-ter-blades laterally adj ustable to and from it, and which I term extensible and collapsible cutting blades or mechanism.

Among the advantages of my machine may be mentioned the fact that the operator need not get on and off of the machine to adjust the blades; that he stands above them and is protected from them by the floor; that he can Withdraw either blade more or less without affecting the other blade, and that when the machine is being conveyed, say from the barn to the field and back, or is otherwise not in cutting operation, the blades are hidden and so covered that they cannot injure any one.

It will be seen that the guards at I may be extended up a suitable distance to form a railing to protect the driver against accidentally falling 01? of the machine in the front of the blades. It will also be seen at J, Fig. 1, that the guard may be extended across the machine at a suitable elevation for this purpose,

whereby he will be prevented from accidentally falling into the space at the rear of the guard F.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cornharvester, the combination, with a vehicle or sled, of stalk-cutting mechanism and intermediate toggle connections between the vehicle or sled and said mechanism, adapted to throw the cutting-edge ,out beyond the vehicle or sled, and operating mechanism to effect such movementof said mechanism and toggle connections.

2. In a corn-harvester, the combination, with a sled or vehicle, of cutting-blades, a board for each blade, a set of bars pivoted to the board and to the structure, and adjusting devices to operate the bars back and forth to swing the blades in and out.

3. In a corn harvester, the combination, with a sled or vehicle having a floor with a space beneath the same and above the sled or vehicle, of cutting-blades, a board for each blade, bars pivoted to the board and to the central part of the structure, the said board and bars occupying said space, and adjusting devices to swing the board or frame and bars out and in. v

4:. In a corn-harvester, the combination, with a sled, of bars pivoted thereto, a board pivoted to the bars, a blade carried by the board, and a rope or chain connected to the board and passing through suitable guides carried by the sled, whereby the blade is thrown outward upon drawing the rope or chain in one direction and thrown inward hydra-wing it in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADDISON Wi BUTT.

Witnesses:

WARREN HULL, H. M. PLAISTED. 

